A special national holiday on August 30 is Mironov Day: history, traditions, omens

Every year on August 30, the Orthodox Church honors the memory of Saint Myron of Cyzicus, who lived in the third century in Greek Achaia. In the national calendar, the date is known as Mironov Day, or Widow's Day. In 2025, it falls on a Saturday. Read about the history of the holiday, what is customary to do on this day, and what should be avoided in the Izvestia article.

What is the church holiday on August 30th?

The Holy Martyr Myron lived in the 3rd century in the Greek city of Achaia. He came from a noble family, received a brilliant education, but decided to choose a spiritual path, becoming a presbyter. The saint possessed a gentle, benevolent disposition and mercy, while showing outstanding courage in defending his flock.: During the persecution of Christians under Emperor Decius, he not only openly supported his co-religionists, but also tried to protect them from the reprisals of pagans, which incurred the wrath of the authorities.

According to church sources, at the Christmas service, which Myron performed in his temple, the local ruler Antipater suddenly appeared with soldiers in order to arrest the worshippers. The priest openly accused the authorities of cruelty and said that parishioners have the right to freedom of religion.

For this, Myron was arrested and subjected to terrible tortures, but even suffering on the rack did not force him to renounce his faith. According to church tradition, in the midst of his torment, a voice from heaven announced that his feat was almost complete, and a crown awaited him in heaven.

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Then Myron was thrown into a cage with wild animals, but they did not dare to touch him — on the contrary, the lioness gnawed the ropes on his hands. The fire did not harm the martyr either. In the end, Myron was executed. It is believed that his death was accompanied by miracles that caused the mass conversion of citizens to Christianity, and the ruler himself, unable to withstand spiritual defeat, committed suicide.

The life and martyrdom of Saint Myron of Cyzicus became a symbol of spiritual fortitude, courage, and devotion to Christian ideals.

Traditions of the national holiday Mironov day on August 30

Mironov Day in the peasant tradition was a time of preparation for the autumn season. In a number of Russian regions, active leaf fall was already beginning during this period, foreshadowing the imminent onset of cold weather. The peasants were in a hurry to finish their field work, especially the sowing of winter crops. There was a warning among the people: if you do not have time to do this by August 30, then the future harvest will be scarce, "only flowers will remain."

Therefore, the men went to the field in the morning, and the women were engaged in household preparations — salted mushrooms, cooked compotes, dried berries. The day was also considered favorable for general cleaning of the house. All the garbage and old things were burned, believing that negativity, illnesses, quarrels and failures would go away with them.

On Mironov Day, it was customary for the ancestors to conduct rituals aimed at protecting the hearth. Amulets made of natural materials, such as dried herbs and wood, were hung in the houses. They were placed under the roofs of houses, barns and cattle sheds. Worn shoes, especially old bast shoes, played the same role. The peasants believed that the more such pairs were hung above the entrance to the hut, the more reliable the protection of the dwelling from spoilage, envy and the evil eye would be.

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Another symbolic ceremony of this day, which represented the change of seasons, was the so-called funeral of flies. People put insects in eggshells and buried them in the ground, as if seeing off the summer and welcoming the imminent arrival of coolness.

Also on this day, it was customary to pour cold water from a bucket over children to strengthen their health and temper them before the change of season.

Another popular name for August 30 is Widow's Help. It came from an old saying: "Throw a chip at the widow's yard." On this day, special attention was paid to women who were left without spouses, as well as orphans and those in need. The rural community rallied to help such families. Together, hay was harvested for them, firewood was chopped, and grain was threshed. This practice of collective support strengthened the internal structure of peasant society.

What not to do on the Mironov Day holiday on August 30th

In Russia, Mironov Day was associated with many prohibitions, to break which meant to invite trouble. So, on August 30, it was strictly forbidden to go to the cemetery. According to beliefs, on a holiday, the souls of the dead "visit" each other, and it is better for the living not to disturb their peace.

What else can't be done on August 30th:

• quarreling and sorting things out will lead to long, exhausting conflicts.;
• to refuse help to those who need it is to avoid incurring "punishment" and falling into the same need.;
• talk about plans — they may not come true;
• do fortune—telling and summon spirits - so as not to attract the attention of dark forces.

Folk signs for August 30th

Mironov Day has traditionally been considered an important date for forecasts for the coming months. Observing nature, the peasants drew conclusions about the coming weather, harvest and family well-being.:

• If the cranes have already flown away, winter will come early, with frosts by the Cover celebrated on October 14.;
• a sky covered with dense clouds leads to prolonged rains and prolonged slush;
• clear and sunny weather — for early and warm spring;
• strong wind leads to life changes and unexpected news in the coming weeks;
• The whole family gathers at the table during the holiday — the year will be calm and prosperous.;
• to meet a widow or an orphan on this day is a spiritual cleansing, especially if you help them.;
• a dream dreamed on the eve of a holiday will be prophetic.

Earlier, Izvestia talked about what not to do on the feast of the Assumption of the Virgin.